IN PICS | 18 lives lost, agony continues: One month after coup, here's how Myanmar is surviving
The hopes of building a robust democracy in Myanmar were shattered when the powerful military toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party in a coup Feb. 1. Here's a visual representation of how life in the country will never be the same.
A month after the military coup took over in Myanmar, mass protests occurring each day are a sharp reminder of the long and bloody struggle for democracy in a country where the military ruled directly for more than five decades. (Photo | AP)
In clinging to power over the years, the army used lethal force to quash a massive 1988 uprising and a 2007 revolt led by Buddhist monks. (Photo | AP)
Not much has changed now. Even as it eased the reins — allowing civilian rule after Suu Kyi's party won elections in 2015 — the military retained power through a constitution it drafted. (Photo | AP)
But, how did it come about to take over the country this time? 'Election fraud'. When the army blocked Parliament from convening and detained Suu Kyi and others in her government the day of its takeover, it alleged the most recent election was tainted by fraud. (Photo | AP)
The election commission that refuted those allegations and affirmed Suu Kyi's party won in a landslide, was purged by the ruling junta. Resulting in countrywide protests, bloodshed and more agony. (Photo | AP)
To mark their disapproval of this forced regime change, medical workers spearheaded a Civil Disobedience Movement, whose calls for mass non-violent protests were met across the country. (Photo | AP)
Others also rejected the military’s assertion — and took to the streets. Even in smaller cities, crowds often in the tens of thousands defied the junta's orders against large gatherings. (Photo | AP)
People united in opposing the coup and wanting Suu Kyi released and restored to power came from varied walks of life. (Photo | AP)
Be it civil servants, workers at enterprises such as the state railway, people from various ethnic groups or even Myanmar's enthusiastic generation Z youngsters, the country responded with a decisive 'no' to the coup. (Photo | AP)
However, despite repeated calls for non-violence, security forces in Myanmar opened fire on multiple occasions and made mass arrests leading to the deaths of at least 18 protesters and injuring several others. (Photo | AP)
The horror continues. With continued gunfire, shelling of tear gas, flash-bang grenades, stun grenades on people, along with mass detention of independent journalists, the situation doesn't appear to get any better, any time soon. (Photo | AP)
The silver lining here is hope. While democracy may have died a temporary death in this country, the hope and resilience for its restoration have not. (Photo | AP)
